Luggage bag

ABSTRACT

An elongated luggage bag adapted to be transported and stored depending from support means at its upper end, the bag having an outer bag portion which, in horizontal section, is of narrow rectangular form, there being an inner bag portion dividing the outer bag portion into front and rear hanger compartments accessible through the front and rear broad sides of the outer bag portion, the inner bag portion being accessible through one of the narrow sides of the outer bag portion.

United States Patent I72] Inventor Keith L. Gardner I21 1 Appl No,798.084 [22] Filed Feb. 10, 1969 I45] Patented Feb. 2, 1971 s4 LUGGAGEBAG 2,606,636 8/1952 Braverman 2.774.450 12/1956 Smallberg 143 N.Thompson St., Jackson, Mich. 49202 2,779,479 1/1957 Cohen 206/7(K)X2,793,742 5/1957 Mintz 206/7(K)X 3,221,848 12/1965 O'Neil 190/433,315,772 4/1967 Katz 190/43 Primary ExaminerDonald F. NortonAtt0rneyBeaman & Beaman ABSTRACT: An elongated luggage bag adapted to betransported and stored depending from support means at its upper end,the bag having an outer bag portion which, in horizontal section, is ofnarrow rectangular form, there being an inner bag portion dividing theouter bag portion into front and rear hanger compartments accessiblethrough the front and rear broad sides of the outer bag portion, theinner bag portion being accessible through one of the narrow sides ofthe outer bag portion.

'PAT ENTED FEB 2 Ian SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR KEITH L; GARDNER ATTORNEYSLUGGAGE BAG BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I, Field of the Invention Theinvention relates to the art of flexible luggage bags used in travelingfor the purpose of transporting articles of clothing, clothingaccessories and toilet articles.

2. Description of the prior Art Flexible garment and storage bags arewell known for protecting clothing from dust and moths. Such bags may bemade of thin plastic sheet or other suitable flexible material and areusually provided with one or more access openings regulated by a slidingfastener. In the use of such bags the garments are usually supported onhangers completely embraced by the bag when closed. Such bags may becompletely flexible so as to conform in general to the shape of thegarments being protected or they may have a lightweight frame to providethe bag with a predetermined shape. It is a common practice in the useof such bags for traveling to either hand carry the same or to disposethe bag flat in a vehicle trunk or depending from a suitable rod or hooklocated back of the front seat of a vehicle. However, such bags have notbeen designed for traveling and are a poor compromise for a conventionalform of travel luggage.

In a effort to improve the capacity and to reduce the cost of handluggage of the type having two sections connected with a hinge thesections being disposable into the same plane for packing and unpacking,flexible baglike forms have been proposed having a handle at both endsor in the middle and capable of being doubled up for hand carrying, suchas shown in US. Pats. Nos. 2,003,100 and 2,702,l05.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a flexibleluggage bag which possesses all the wearing qualities of conventionaltravel luggage. It will take full length garments for suspension in fulllength condition. When being hand carried, the bag is preferably slungover the shoulder to clear the ground and is supported by the fingertips engaging a handle located at the top and to one side of thecenterline.

At the top of the bag a rigid elongated framework is provided from whichthe garments are supported on hangers, the framework being preferablypadded for the sake of comfort in hand carrying the bag slung over oneshoulder. An outer bag portion is draped over the top framework anddepends from the ends and sides thereof to provide a form which isrectangular in horizontal section. An inner bag portion is supportedfrom the framework and divides the outer bag portion into front and rearhanger compartments. Access to the interior of the inner bag portion isprovided through one of the narrow sides of the outer bag portion withaccess to the hanger compartments being through the wider sides of theouter bag portion. Both bag portions may be provided with pocketstructure. As the inner bag portion is intended to be used for soiledclothes it may be removably supported from the top framework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofthe improved luggage bag,

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the bag of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a side view as viewed the left of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a side view as viewed from the right of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line VI-VI of FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line VII-VII of FIG. 3,

FIG. 8 is anenlarged view of FIG. 5 with a part of the outer bag portionwho shown broken away,

, FIG. 9'is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line IX-IX ofFIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 9, and

FIG. 11 is a layout of a sheet metal blank from which the hanger bracketis formed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the illustration of of theinvention the flexible luggage bag 10 comprises an outer bag portion 12of suitable flexible material such as leather, both natural andartificial, canvas, plastic sheeting and other similar flexible fabricsand combinations thereof. The portion 12 is draped over suitable,relatively rigid framework 14 which in plan view appears of rectangularoutline as seen in FIG. 3.

The framework 14 is shown as a formed or extruded metal channel 16having an apex portion 18 and rounded ends 20. A swivel post 22 extendsupwardly through a hole in the web 24 of the channel I6. A flexiblechain 26 is attached at one end to the post 22 and to a hook 28 at theother end to suspend the bag 10 from an elevated support. To enable thebag 10 to freely swivel about the vertical axis of the post 22 thelatter is provided with a ball bearing thrust structure 30, upon whichthe channel 16 rests when the post 22 is suspended by the chain 26 andhook 28. Disposed between the channel I6 and that portion of the outerbag portion 12 superimposed thereon is a suitable layer of cushioningmaterial 32, such as sponge rubber, urethane foam, or the like, whichpreferably overhangs the sides 34 of the channel 16 as shown in FIG. 8.The purpose of the cushioning material 32 is to protect the flexiblefabric from which the outer bag portion 12 is made. It also serves toprotect the person carrying the bag 10 slung over his shoulder from theharshness of the metal channel 16.

The hanger bracket 36 is attached by rivets, or other suitable means tothe web 24 of the channel 16. In FIG. 1 l is shown a sheet metal blank38 from which the bracket 36 is formed. In its final form the bracket36, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, comprises portions 40 and 42 of theblank 38 which constitute the parts of the bracket 36 upon which thehanger 44 is suspended. The narrow portions 46 and 48 are bent at to theportions 40 and 42 to space and support the portions 40 and 42 form theweb 24 of the channel 16. The ear portions 50 and 52 are bent at 90 tothe portions 46 and 48 to enable the portions 50 and 52 to be riveted tothe underside of the web 24. For supporting the central part of thebracket 36, the blank 38 is provided with portions 54 and 56 which areangularly disposed to the portions 40 and 42 by bending while the earportions 58 and 60 are bent in the opposite direction to be juxtaposedrelative to the web 24 and riveted thereto, all as best seen in FIG. 10.

The outer bag portion 12 has a top panel 62, a front panel 64, a rearpanel 66, side panels 68 and 70 and a bottom panel 72. All of thesepanels are preferably of suitable flexible fabric material of a durablenature. To hold the shape of the bag portion 12, a lightweightstiffening member 74 of cardboard, or the like, may be associated withthe bottom panel 72.

The front and rear panels 64 and 66 are shown in the drawings as beingidentical although it should be understood that this is not necessary.Each panel has a longitudinal opening extending substantially the entirelength of the bag 10 which is-regulated by a sliding fastener 76. Ineach panel 64 and 66 four similar pockets 78 have been provided bysewing panels 79 of flexible fabric on the back side of the panels 64and 66, the stitching lines being indicated at 80. Access to the pockets78 is through transverse openings 82 regulated by sliding fasteners 84.To assist in the operation of the fastener 84, hold tabs 86 areindicated at opposite ends of each fastener 84 which are adapted to begripped by the fingers of one hand while the fastener 84 is beingmanipulated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more small pockets 88, for receivingjewelry and the like, may be associated with one or more of the pockets78 by sewing a fabric panel 90 on the panel 79, the lines of stitchingbeing indicated at 92. In FIG. 1, sliding fastener 84 for the upperleft-hand pocket 78 is shown in a partly open position to partly exposethe double pocket 88, the flap 94 of which is shown unsnapped at oneend.

An inner bag portion 96 of flexible fabric is removably supported fromthe framework 14 along the centerline of the channel 16 to divide theouter bag portion 12 into two substantially equal hanger compartments 98and 100.

in the illustrated form, the bag portion 96 is made from two fabricpanels 102 and 104 stitched together along their peripheral edge exceptfor an opening 106 provided at the vertical edge 108. The bag portion 96is then turned inside out through the opening 106. The opposite verticaledge of the back portion 96 is indicated at 110, the bottom edge at 112,and the top edge at 114 which converges toward the apex 18 of thechannel 16.

The opening 106, provided at the vertical edge 108, is preferably inregister with an opening 116 regulated by a sliding fastener 126 in theside 70 of the outer bag portion 12. To facilitate placing soiledclothes, or other articles. into the interior of the inner bag portion96, the opening-providing portions thereof are equipped with suitablefastening structure such as male snap fastener elements 120 which engagewith mating female snap fastener elements 122 on the side 70 alongopposite sides of the opening 124 regulated by the sliding fastener 126.Thus, when the fastener 126 is adjusted to provide access to theinterior of the outer bag portion 12, a common opening into the interiorof the inner bag portion 96 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the inner bag portion 96 is supported fromthe channel 16 by flexible straps 128 attached intermediate their endsto the web 24 of the channel 16 by riveting, or other suitable means.Female snap fastener elements 130 are carried on the ends of the straps128 to be removably coupled to male snap fastener elements located onthe panels 102 and 104. With this arrangement, the inner bag portion 96may be conveniently removed from the interior of the outer bag portion12 for dry cleaning or washing.

Preferably, the bag portion 96 will be disposed in the same verticalplane as the portions 54 and 56 of the bracket 36. With the bag portion96 so located, a plurality of hangers 44 may be received and supportedon the portions 40 and 42 which extend in opposite directions relativeto the vertical plane in which the portions 54 and 56 are disposed.Hangers 44 have opposed, slightly spaced, suspension hooks 132 so shapedas to have passage to and from the portions 40 and 42 through traversemovement relative to the narrow portions 46 and 48, the hangers 44 beingslightly tilted from the vertical plane during such movement. In thismanner the inner bag portion 96 will separate the hangers 44 disposedupon the portions 40 and 42 with the clothes suspended in the luggagebag in full length condition.

1n FIG. 6 panel 102 of the inner bag portion 96 is shown provided withpockets 134 defined by a fabric panel 136 sewed to the owner face of thepanel 102 along the stitching lines indicated at 138. Pockets 140 may beprovided in a similar manner below the pockets 134 on the panel 102 aswell as on the panel 104.

FIG. 7 shows pocket 142 on the inside of the panel 104 and formed by afabric panel 144 sewed to the inside of the panel 104 by rows ofstitching 146. The opening 148 into the pocket 142 through the panel 104is regulated by sliding fastener 150.

It will be appreciated that the pockets 140 in the panels 102 and 104,being substantially removed from the hangers 44, may receive thereinsuch articles as shoes and slippers without substantially reducing heamount of clothing that may be suspended from the hangers 44. For asimilar reason, soiled clothes, and the like, which are placed in theinner bag portion 96 through the common opening in the side 70, willtend to settle to the bottom of the portion 96 and will not materiallyreduce the amount of clothes that may be suspended from the hangers 44.

One of the many advantages of the inner bag portion96 is that soiledclothes may be inserted through the side 70 without disturbing orcontacting any of the other articles used in traveling and locatedelsewhere within the outer bag portion A pair of flexible ties areindicated at 152 attached to the side 68 for securing a raincoat orother article of apparel.

lt will be noted that the handle 154 is attached to the framework 14 anddisposed to one side of the centerline of the bag 10. With the palm ofthe hand upwardly disposed above the shoulder and the back of the handdisposed to the bag 10, the finger tips may be received in the handle154 and the bag 10 can then be readily slung over the shoulder andcarried, clearing the ground.

lclaim:

1. A flexible luggage bag of the type described capable of suspension ofthe garments in a full length condition, said bag having an outer bagportion of flexible material, interior framework generally rectangularin plan view located adjacent the top of said outer bag portion overwhich the latter is draped, said outer bag portion having two pair ofopposed sides of widths corresponding substantially to the width andlength of said framework in plan view, an inner bag portion of flexiblematerial entirely housed by said outer bag portion,

said bag portions having common access structure defined in one of thenarrow sides of said outer bag portion, means for suspending said innerbag along a centrally disposed longitudinal axis of said framework inplan view, garment suspension means on said framework upon oppositesides of said axis whereby garments may be hung from said frameworkwithin said outer bag and exteriorly of said inner bag on opposite sidesthereof, said bags being substantially coextensive in the area in whichthe garments are suspended.

2. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner bagportion is entirely defined by wall structure none of which is commonwith the sides of said outer bag portion.

3. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the wallstructure of said inner bag portion partially defining the common accessis removably attached to the side of said outer bag portion defining theremainder of the common access.

4. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1 wherein cushioning meansis provided between said framework and that portion of said outer bagportion disposed on said framework.

5. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said frameworkis in the form of a rigid inverted channel, a transversely extendinghanger bracket attached beneath the web of said channel, and suspensionfor the luggage bag anchored in said channel and extending upwardlythrough said outer bag portion.

6. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 5 wherein said inner bagportion is removably suspended from the underside of said channel.

1. A flexible luggage bag of the type described capable of suspension ofthe garments in a full length condition, said bag having an outer bagportion of flexible material, interior framework generally rectangularin plan view located adjacent the top of said outer bag portion overwhich the latter is draped, said outer bag portion having two pair ofopposed sides of widths corresponding substantially to the width andlength of said framework in plan view, an inner bag portion of flexiblematerial entirely housed by said outer bag portion, said bag portionshaving common access structure defined in one of the narrow sides ofsaid outer bag portion, means for suspending said inner bag along acentrally disposed longitudinal axis of said framework in plan view,garment suspension means on said framework upon opposite sides of saidaxis whereby garments may be hung from said framework within said outerbag and exteriorly of said inner bag on opposite sides thereof, saidbags being substantially coextensive in the area in which the garmentsare suspended.
 2. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid inner bag portion is entirely defined by wall structure none ofwhich is common with the sides of said outer bag portion.
 3. A flexibleluggage bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the wall structure of saidinner bag portion partially defining the common access is removablyattached to the side of said outer bag portion defining the remainder ofthe common access.
 4. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1wherein cushioning means is provided between said framework and thatportion of said outer bag portion disposed on said framework.
 5. Aflexible luggage bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said framework is inthe form of a rigid inverted channel, a transversely extending hangerbracket attached beneath the web of said channel, and suspension for theluggage bag anchored in said channel and extending upwardly through saidouter bag portion.
 6. A flexible luggage bag as defined in claim 5wherein said inner bag portion is removably suspended from the undersideof said channel.